OWENSBORO, KY – Father Conrad T. Jaconette, 2d Lt USAF, a prospective U.S. Air Force chaplain, was ordained a priest on Saturday, May 31, in his home Diocese of Owensboro, KY. Father Jaconette plans to go on active duty in three years following a period of civilian ministry in local parishes under his co-sponsored seminarian agreement with the Owensboro Diocese and the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). His first assignment will be at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Hopkinsville, where he will serve as parochial vicar.
Father Jaconette celebrated his priestly ordination at Saint Stephen Cathedral through the laying of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit by Bishop William F. Medley. AMS Auxiliary Bishop Gregg M. Caggianelli concelebrated the 10:00 a.m. ordination Mass. Among those in attendance were the new priest’s parents, Mark and Debra Jaconette, his brother, Mr. Roman Jaconette, his sister, Ms. Courtney Clouse, and grandmother, Ms. Beth Parks. Watch video.
Father Jaconette, 28, is a 2018 graduate of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green where he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Biochemistry. In 2021 he completed a Master of Catholic Philosophical Studies, and last year, a Master of Divinity, both at the Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Saint Meinrad, IN.
Father Jaconette says he began to realize his call to priesthood and chaplaincy after earning his undergraduate degree. “After graduation,” he said, “I was applying to medical schools, in a serious relationship, and was unsure what God was asking of me. I needed to discern my next step in life properly—this is what got me in the doors of seminary. It took years of fruitful formation for God to show me that He wanted to use me as one of His priests.”
Father Jaconette is one of nine co-sponsored priests to be ordained this year in preparation for eventual military service. Last year, nine others acceded to active duty as the AMS—the sole endorser of Catholic priests serving in the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs—strives to relieve a shortage of Catholic chaplains.
Young men interested in discerning a priestly vocation, and the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve in the U.S. military, can find more information at milarch.org/vocations, or may contact AMS Vocation Director Father Paul-Anthony Halladay at [email protected] or (202) 719-3600.
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